How do you actually train that (not to mark or wee on walks)? My dog Brogan just did it (or rather DIDN'T do it) and it was dumb luck on my part that he only weed where I told him to and when I told him to. Heck, I didn't even train the wee command (despite trying), he just sort of did that on his own as well. But how would I go about doing that with a new puppy?
We teach them to wee on command then always make sure they are 'empty' when we leave home. If they are older and we are out a long time we go to places (I try to find a gravel patch) which we 'designate' a spending area. We ask for a wee there, then go on our way. At first, when on the lead we walk them away from any exciting smells, no verges, no trees etc. So for weeks and weeks a habit is built up of no sniffing. Once they are older we use 'leave it' if they look like sniffing. If they clearly need to spend we find a place and give the command. This hardly ever happens to me as I plan my routes carefully, all around the pup's spending. For example, I don't leave the house with them 'till they've pood. But, of course, with guide dogs they are going to work etc so may sometimes get 'caught short' - then they are taught to spend in the gutter. My opinion is that, just like us, habit can override natural instinct if ingrained enough. The upside for guide dogs is that they never get left home alone. They get good, long free runs and adore them. Just like we enjoy our time off more when we work than when retired. I tell Bruce 'some people have to work for a living and you are one of them!' To teach the wee on command you say the command AS they wee for two or three weeks, then JUST BEFORE you know they are going to wee - for a few weeks. Then only ask when they are likely to wee. After that they will always squeeze one out for you. I've never had a pup that wouldn't.
Thanks - I'll give it a go when (in the depressingly far future) I get a new pup. It's funny that Brogan just kind of learned this on his own. I put a command on sniffing, so default mode was no sniffing. I guess the weeing on command he just eventually learned, though I felt like I was pretty much a failure at teaching it. I really don't like the constant sniffing and marking thing during on-leash walks but didn't realise how much Brogan and I had our own little understanding until I had a friend's dog every morning for this summer. That girl weed everywhere at first - she especially loved weeing on storefronts and having a poo in front of cafes with tables outside. Ugh - how embarrassing picking up poo right in front of poor people having their breakfast! We came to a very quick understanding that if she wanted a walk, we were NOT doing that. It was really good practice for me to teach her and while progress was not lightening swift, she and I had it sorted out in about three weeks. I was really proud of both of us!
Who would have guessed? He is very handsome! I have to ask, Mags, and you may not know, but I've heard that GRs are generally awfully short-lived, due to cancers and the like. Do you know if the GD ones have any better longevity than those in the regular population?
I asked on our GD Facebook page and these are the ages GR GDs lived to after retirement. Most retired at 7 or 8 years old. 15 14 12 14 17 14 Good ages!
I'm quite surprised to hear the retirement age for guide dogs - I'd thought they might have gone on a year or two longer. I meet an older blind lady occasionally out with her husband, her guide dog, her retired guide dog (who they were allowed to keep) and their pet dog (all Labradors, and all gorgeous). The woman said that her retired dog found it quite hard at first when she got out the harness for the new dog and left the old one at home.
There isn't a set age. The dog 'decides' when it wants to retire, usually by not wanting to work any more!
Since you have a lot of experience with both, what do you think are the biggest differences between Labs and GRs? I don't think a GR would be for me mainly because of the coat care but I'm still curious. I have to admit, the few I've met in person have seemed sweet but a little dopey and slow...then when I started to look at different breeds I saw that they are considered smarter than Labs and obviously they must be smart and hard working to make such good guide dogs. Just wondering what you think?
That's really interesting... it must be really hard for both the person and the dog to make the transition. Brogan was precisely 11 when he decided that he was old. It was like a light switch. He was still a happy guy and followed (most) commands, but his whole attitude switched from "I'm working for you" to "You're working for me". My friends used to joke that instead of him being my "Assistenzhund" I was now an "Assistenzmensch" (assistance human). I didn't mind at all - he'd more than earned an Assistenzmensch. On the bright side, I found out that old dogs are really fun. He just had this hilarious "I don't give a rat's a**" attitude that was inspirational!
Some make it easily like Brogan did. Quite a few go to new homes (sometimes back to the puppy walkers) if the person can't keep them. Others stay with their owners. Would I take one back? - yes!
My experience with GRs is very small (Bruce and Paddy) and, apart from Tatze and Zaba all my Lab experience is with pups, so small too. I find the Lab/GR is a great mix - the enthusiasm of the Lab and brains of the GR. GRs are very clever, which means they easily work out how to get their own way! I find them incredibly gentle compared to Labs. You give Bruce a treat and he has such a soft mouth you think 'did he take it'. People say they are stubborn, I see that in Bruce a bit - he likes to think things are his own idea, then he'll really work hard GDs need that independent streak as the dog must say a very firm NO to the owner on the occasions the owner says 'forward' and a car is coming. Coat care I have been surprised - no more grooming than a Lab! I use a Tangle Teaser and it's no trouble to give him a quick groom every day.
Until they find that muddy bog ... the long hair definitely has the disadvantage (from the human perspective!) there
My friend has a lovely retired GD she's such fun and is kicking up her heels in her retirement home. She's 12 now
